Unexpected Hip-Hop Fans

In the <a href="http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2011/10/nas-celebrates-20-years-in-hip-hop-interviewed-by-tyler-the-creator-in-new-xxl/">November issue of <em>XXL</em></a>, Coldplay front man Chris Martin talks about listening to Jay-Z and Kanye West for inspiration. Though he didn't get into hip-hop into his 20s, Martin—who grew up in the UK—is now a rap fan. He recently copped Hov and 'Ye's Watch the Throne and Lil Wayne's Tha Carter IV, and was bumping Run-D.M.C. for inspiration on his group's fifth LP, <em>Mylo Xyloto</em>. To let Martin tell it, he shouldn't really be a rap fan, but he is. He's not alone. XXLMag.com takes a look at unexpected rap fans.—<em>XXL Staff</em>

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift most likely had Kanye West on her iPod before he interrupted her MTV Video Music Awards acceptance speech. Funny enough, she told Chelsea Handler she's a big 50 Cent fan earlier this year. She tweeted about having Nicki Minaj's "Super Bass" on repeat months before the single cracked the Billboard Hot 100's Top 10. More recently, Taylor brought out a fresh-out-of-jail T.I. and Young Jeezy at a concert in Atlanta.

Steve Nash

Steve Nash

The NBA All-Star has been spotted at several rap shows over the years. He <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwfSwsOzZtM">was the lucky recipient of a Nicki Minaj lap dance</a> during the Phoenix stop of Lil Wayne's I Am Still Music Tour earlier this year. He was also seen backstage at this year's Rock the Bells Festival at Governor's Island in NYC.

Young Jeezy

Young Jeezy

Jizzle doesn't only motivate thugs. Word is Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps prepped with Jeezy on his iPod during his record-breaking turn at the 2008 Olympics.

Joaquin Phoenix

Joaquin Phoenix

The two-time Oscar nominee must have been a rap fan to some degree. A while back he announced he was retiring from movies to pursue a rap career. His journey as an aspiring MC was documented in the 2010 documentary, <em>I'm Still Here</em>.

Barack Obama

Barack Obama

The President's talked about having Jay-Z and B.o.B on the iPod, to name a few. Here, he's pictured with Common.

obama-luda

Barack Obama With Ludacris

Bill Maher

Bill Maher

Maher most likely appreciates hip-hop's politically incorrect side. Maher made Jay-Z his only guest for a one-hour special back in 2009. The talk show was clearly familiar with Hov's music beyond research. He once dated Karrine "Superhead" Steffans, perhaps under a rapper's recommendation.

Bill Maher and 50 Cent

Bill Maher and 50 Cent

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman

Portman is a longtime hip-hop fan, particularly The Roots, but she doesn't stick to one sub-genre. In a 2009 interview, Portman revealed that she had soft spot for The Ying Yang Twins's "Wait (The Whisper Song)."

Shia Labeouf

Shia Labeouf

The <em>Transformers</em> star has been listening to hip-hop since he was 12 and is a big Cage fan. He even shadowed the MC during his Hell's Winter Tour and he's shown interest in playing the MC in a movie.

Jonah Hill was apparently supposedly to be one of the talking heads in the Michael Rapaport-directed, <em>Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest</em>. He's also been spotted with <em>Stakes Is High</em> t-shirt on a red carpet. Here, he's pictured with Diddy in a scene from <em>Get Him to the Greek</em>.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry

The Prince reached out to Snoop Dogg and Tinie Tempah to have the rappers perform at his brother's engagement party last year. Snoop recorded the song "Wet" specifically for the Bachelor Party. Here, he's pictured with Kanye West and Diddy.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow

Jigga Man's BFF can recite <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6Oej7K469I">N.W.A. lyrics word-for-word</a> at the drop of a dime. She's reportedly a huge fan of '90s hip-hop.

Michelle Trachtenberg knew all about Nicki Minaj way before she blew up. The actress lyrics off of Nick's <em>Beam Me Up Scotty</em> mixtape in <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEW73k0bgDw">this memorable YouTube clip.</a>

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Best of XXL

Best of XXL

MONEY MONEY-YEAH YEAH-MONEY,MONEY-YEAH YEAH-WHATUP EMINEM TAKE OFF THAT SWEATER ITS TOO HOT FOR ALL THAT SHIII T.RIGHT P.DIDDY-

notoriousroc

talk about marginalisation of your market. it is not hard to grasp that white people also enjoy hip hop music. this article is pointless.

thefuture710

cosign ^ cuz apparently us white people only like death metal, country, and pop music…fuck you xxl for writing this “article”

Will Morebucks

What’s so surprising about it? When a rapper goes platinum, damn near 80% of the buyers are white people. I went to a 50 cent concert back in 04, and I was damn near the only nigga there.

killa

first pic jay and chris martin don’t look right…

illestni99ainne

@ killa yeah they a little too close fam

WTFISWRONGWITHYOUPPL

wow niggas is stupid. dnt mention the race card if its not thrown. barack aint white. maybe its jus funny that white america’s favorite sweethearts actually have the balls to say they enjoy other good music….hmmm like hip hop for instance. damn stop bein sensitive. good lookin out xxl

chuck

Nas broke a contract for a concertn and caused the promoter and his son to be illegally abducted in Angola. Nas could fix it but he won’t. Punk.

chuck

Nas broke a contract for a concert and caused the promoter and his son to be illegally abducted in Angola. Nas could fix it but he won’t. Punk.

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